Thermostatically-controlled valve



June 11, 1929.

V. MAUCK THERMOSTATICALLY CONTROLLED VALVE Filed April 29, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet l Kc r01? Muck,

i K/ .M 12: WW

June 11, 1929.

V.MAUCK THERMOSTATICALLY CONTROLLED VALVE Filed April 29, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 QWQDN NE Filed April 29 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet mwa RR QR NH ENRN Patented June 11, 1929.

UNITED STATES vro'r'oa mmcx, or MERION, rnnnsnvmm.

THERMOSTATICLLLY-CONTROLLEDI VALVE,

Application filed April 29, 927. Serial No. 187,590.

My invention is particularly applicable to heaters of the class described in my copending application (2827) Serial No. 171.237 filed February 26, 1927 for Letters Patent of the United States, and operative to maintain a body of water heated to a predetermined temperature, by a main burner supplied with gas under control of a thermostatically operative valve arranged to minutely regulate a small volume of gas passing to the burner and to temporarily permit the passage of a much lar er volume of gas to the same burner when the temperature of said body ofwater falls below the predetermined degree at which the minimum supply of gas is maintained. In such heaters, a momentary abnormal demand upon the gas supply in the neighborhood may diminish the gas pressure to such a degree that the minimum flames are extinguished. and my present invention provides means for automatically relighting the ensuing (low of unconsumed gas,'which flow is. of course. augmented by the continued operation of the thermostatically controlled valve as the tei'nperature of the water falls.

The object aforesaid is attained by providing a pilot flame burner supplied through a bypass around the thermostatically controlto the main burner, and associating with such pilot burner and its automatic controlling mechanism a diaphragm valve through which the supply of gas is delivered both to the. main burner and to the pilot burner;

said diaphragm valve being normally held open by the gas flowing to the main burner, while the pilotburner is operative, but constructed and arranged to be closed by back pressure of the gas to shut off the supply of gas to the main burner. as a consequence o the automatic shutting off of the supply of gas to the pilot burner orifice, by the valve herein claimed. Mv invention includes the various novel features of construction and arrangement hereinafter more definitely specified, and

particularly the construction and arrangement of a gas burner body to act as one eleled valve'which determines the supply of gas ment of a thermostatic couple]; the other element. of said couple being preferably a nonmetallic. rod having a negligible coefficient of expansion in comparison with thatot said burner body; said couple being coordinately arranged to control the passage of gas through a burner orifice, in accordance with the expansion and contraction of the burner body and to permit the flow of gas through said orifice while a flame is maintained there-at, and to stop the. flow of gas through said orifice when such flame is extinguished and not innnediately relighted, and said burner body consequently cools. As above contemplated, such control of the passage of gas to a burner may be used to shut otf the supply of gas to another burner; but my invention is not limited to such use.

In said drawings; Fig. I is a plan view of a gas water heater of the thermostatically controlled type aforesaid, conveniently embodying my invention.

Fig. II is a vertical sectional view of said heater, taken on the line II, II in Fig. I.

Fi III is a plan view of the main burner and i ts appurtenances.

Fig. I" is a fragmentary vertical sectional view. taken on the line IV, IV in Fig. III.

Fig. V is a side elevation of said main burner and its appurtenances as seen from the lower side of Fig. III. a

Fig. VI is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the diaphragm valve, showing its relation to the main burner and its appurtcnanees shown in Fig. V.

In said figures; the water. c ntainer comprises the cylindrical metal shell 1 having the cold. water inlet 2 and the hot water outlet 3 atthe top thereof. and the combustion chamber-5 at the bottom thereof. The

fdiaphragm 6 forms the bottom closure of the water space 7 in said container 1. and the top of said combustion chamber. The flue 10 has its lower end connected with said diaphragm 6, and extends to the outer atmosphere, through said water container. parallel with. but eccentric to, the axis of said container shell 1.

' The hollow oblate water spreader 11 is mounted in eccentric relation with said diaphragm 6, and extending below the latter in said combustion chamber; having at its upper portion, in coaxial relation, an external y screw threaded neck flange 12 surrounded by the internally and externally screw threaded fusible metal sleeve 13 extending in a corresponding opening surromuled by the flange 14 in said diaphragm 6. Said spreader has, in coaxial relation the.re\\-'ith, but eccentric to said container, the. socket l5, engaged with the lower end of the hot water riser pipe 16, which latter terminates a. short distance above said diaphragm 6 and through which the heated water, from said spreader, is delivered into said space 7. Said spreader also has the two diametrically spaced cold water inlet. nozzles 20, at respectively opposite sides of said socket l5 and in communication with the water space 7 through said spreader neck 12.

The water drain pipe 21 extends from the bottom of said spreader 11 to the exterior of said combustion chamber 5, where it is provided with the. drain cock 22 through which sediment may be withdrawn from said spreader. The collar 23 encircles said drain pipe 21 and is provided with the set. screw 24 to secure it in adjusted position. as a support for the main gas burner 26. Said main as burner is a hollow horseshoe-shaped ody, having the radially extending cross bars 27 forming axial bearings 28 embracing said drain pipe 21 and resting upon said collar 23. The mixing tube 30 extends from said burner body 26 in eccentric tangential relation thereto, but in diametrical relation with said container 1 and combustion chamber 5. as best shown in Fig. II, and is slip titted over the gas supply tube 31. The arran ement is such that said burner26 may be readily withdrawn and replaced laterally with respect to said pipe 21 and collar 23 which support it.

As indicated in Fig. I, the gas conduit 33 leading to said burner 26 has the automatica lly, thermostatically operative, valve 34 arranged to control it in :urcordance with the expansion and contraction of the thermostatic element in the tube. 35 which is rigidly connected with said valve. Said tube 35 ex tends diametrically in the water space 7 in said container 1 between said llue. pipe 10 and hot water riser pipe 16, and said valve 34 and tube 35 are detachably connected with said container shell 1 by the screw thread 36 on the valve casing engaging the spud 37 in said shell.

I lind it convenient to provide said gas supply conduit 33 with the manually operative stop cock 39 leading to said conduit 31 between said automatic valve 34 andsaid burner 26; and also to provide the manually operative needle valve 40 in said conduit 31 between said stop cock 39 and said burner 26 to control the efl'ective area oi the. gas inlet ort within said conduit 31.

he construction and arrangement above described are such that after the gas is lighted at the main burner 26, the gas. sup ply is automatically varied, by the operation of the thermostatically controlled valve '34, in accordance with the temperature of the water in the. reservoir space 7, to maintain the'iuass of water in said space at a predetermined temperature, say, 170 l b; the. supply of gas being automatically increased when hot water is withdrawn from the out let. 3 with consequent. inflow of cold water through the. inlet 2, and diminished as the water is raised to the. predetermined temperature by the. heat from said burner 26; the flames at the burner 26 being reduced to the minimum height when the temperature of the. water is raised to the maximum. As aforesaid; when the flow of gas to the mainburuer 26 is thus reduced to the minimum by the operation of the valve 34; the flames 41 at the burner 26 are liable to he accidentally extinguished by momentary lessening of the from any cause; for instance, by an abnormal demand upon the gas supply in the neighborhood of the heater, and although means are provided, as above described, whereby the flow ot'gas to the burner may be manually shut off the structure described does not include any means for apprising the user that the flames 41 has been thus extinguished atthe main burner 26 and that the gas is flowing therethrough unconsumed and with increasing volume.

'l'herefore, in order to maintain the main burner 26 operative. under such abnormal conditions I provide means to relight it antomatically, including the. pilot burner 42., which is supplied with gas imlcpcmlcutly of said valve. 34., so that the pilot flame 4-3 may remain lighted when the flames of the main burner are extinguished; and priwidc. in coordinatml rclation with both the main burner 26 and said pilot burner 42. means for automatically shutting off the supply of gas to both, if and when the tlames of both of said burners are :u-cidcnt-ally ext iuguished.

Said pilot burner 42 is formed in the metal of the body of said burner 26, by drilling the latter; the )llOtburner orltice it communicating wili the valve casing seat 45 i which is a. cylindrical opening in the outer side wall of said burnerlmdy 26 in coaxial relation with the cylindrical recess 46. in the opposite inner wall, which forms a part of said valve casing seat and is provided with the pilot burner supply inlet 47in communication with the supply conduit 48.

The thermostatic valve casing 50 which is fitted to said socket and forms a passa eway for gas from said pilot inlet 47 to said pilot orifice 44, is cup-shaped, havingtwo external -00 pressure of the gas in said supply pipe llfi cylindrical zones at opposite ends thereof, respectively fitted in said seat openings and 46, and has the intermediate internal annular valve seat 51. Said casing has its rim end internally screw threaded at 52 and has the gas inlet ports 53 and valve stem bearing 54, at its other end. The gas is directed from said casing'50 into said pilot burner 42 through'the restricted passageway 55, and air is admitted to saidburner orifice 44 through the notch 56 in the side thereof, so that said burner is of the Bunsen type. The puppet valve 58 is fitted to said seat 51 and has the axial stem' 59 fitted to said bearing 54. The spring 60 encircling said stem 59 tends to thrust said valve off its seat. The externally screw threaded bushing 61 is fitted to said rim thread 52 and has the coaxial cylindrical bearing 63 for the thermostatic element 64, arranged to hold such element in coordinate relation with the coaxial abutment 66 on said valve, opposite said stem.

The opposite end of said thermostatic element 64, (which is preferably a'ceramic or carbon rod having a coefficient of expansion which is practically negligible in comparison with thatof the metal of the burner body .26, within the range of temperatures to which the thermostatic couple are subjected in such embodiment,) is supported in the abutment 68, which is cast in unitary relation with the burner body 26 and internally screw threaded to engage the abutment plug 69 which has the coaxial cylindrical which said valve 58 is automatically opened and closed, is variably determinable by axial adjustment of said abutment plug 69. However, I prefer to thus coordinately calibrate said thermostatic couple with said valve at the factory and to prevent disturbance of such adjustment thereafter, by rigidly connecting said plug 69 with the abutment 68 by solder indicated at 7 3 in Fig. IV. However, it is to be understood that suchsolder or other means for sealing the adjustable plug 69 in its adjusted position, may be removed to permit withdrawal of said plug whenever such withdrawal is necessary for repairs or otherwise.

It is to be understood that the thermostatically controlled valve 58, as above described with reference to Fig. IV, is operative to control the supply of gas to the burner 42, without regard to the source of supply ofthe gas, which is supplied through the inlet 47 from the -condu it 48. However,

said conduit 48, which is preferablya ilexsaid vent 83 and thus relieve the diaphragnr 82 of gas pressure above it, when the pilot burner is closed.

Said diaphragm valve casing 78 has the passageway 85 leading to said gas pipe'33,

leading to the main burner 26, and gas for both burners is supplied through the pipe 86 in communication with the passageway 87 in said casing 7 8, terminating in the seat 88 for the diaphragmvalve '90. Said valve 90 adapted to close said passageway 87 and shut off the supply of gas to the main burner 26 whenever the pressure above said diaphragm 82 equals the pressure below it, which is when said pilot burner valve 58 is closed. However,-when either said valve 58 or the vent 83 is open, said diaphragm 82 is relieved of back pressure of the gas above it, and is liftedand upheld by the gas flowing through the passageway 77 to the main burner 26; thus permitting such supply of gas to said burner 26, to be variably controlled bv the thermostatic valve 34 as above described.

Said valve 90 has the bleed port 91 continually permitting the passage of gas for the pilot flame 43 when the pilot valve 58 is open. However, when said valve 58 is closed by the operation of the thermostatic couple 26, .64 as above described, the gas pressure above the diaphragm 82, in the chamber 80, becomes equal to that below saiddiaphragm, and the diaphragm valve 90 closes upon its seat 88.

Said gas controlling devicesoperate as follows: The adjusting plug 69 in the abutment 68, shown in Fig. IV, may be set so that the relative position of the thermostatic rod 64 is such that said valve 58 is closed at 400 F., but opened at any higher temperature, by the spring 60 which oncircles the valve stem 59 "and continually tends to thrust said valve ofl itsiscat. The stop cock 76 and vent 83 of the valve casing 85 being opened, gas is supplied from the pipe 86 through the diaphragm valve casing 78, pipe 33, valve 34, etc., to the burner 26, and may be manually ignited atthe latter. Combustion of gas at the main burner. 26

immediately heats the latter above 400 F.,

' -so that it expands, whereas, the tllttlXflO-r static r'od64 does not, and with theefi'ect- 0g permitting the valvec 'ig to be thrust off it. seat. by the. spring 60, and the gas issuing from the pilot burner 42 is thereupon ignited by the flames 41 of the main burner 26. Thereafter, momentary diminution of the gas pressure, which may be *snflicient' to extinguish the flames 41 of the main gas burner-26, fails to extinguish thepilot flame 43 which is separately supplied as aforesaid, through the conduit 48 which forms a bypass aroundthe thermostatic valve 34 which separately controls the supply of gas to said main burner. Consequently, when the v normalx as pressure is restored, the gas cscaping t irough the orifices 94 of the burner 26 is relighted in flames 41 by the pilot. flame 43. Similarly, if said pilot flame 43 be accidentally extinguished, while the main burner flames 41 are present, the gas issuing from said pilot burner orifices 44-is relighted' by said flames 41. However, if both the flames 41 and 43 he accidentally extinguished the temperature of the burner body 26- immediately falls to 400 F., with the Therenpon, to relight the burner the valve 76 may be turned 90 degrees counter-clockwise from the position shownin Fig. VI, toopen said vent 83, thus releasing the gas pressure above the diaphragm 82; whereupon, said diaphragm valve 90 is opened by the gas pressure from the supply pipe 86 and the gas issuing through theorifices 94 of the, main burner 26 may be manually rehghted in flames 41. The consequent heating of the main burner 26 reopens the pilot burner valve 58 and restores the pilot burner flame 43 as above described.

Although I prefer to provide'means, in-

' eluding the abut-ment plug 69 above described, for changing the relative position of the thermostatic elements 26 and64, it

is to be understood that said elements may be otherwise calibrated or may be made of predetermined standard length, and such adjusting means be omitted. Moreover, al-

though I find it convenient to provide the spring pressed valve 58 for controlling the supply of gas 'to the pilot burner 42, it is to be understood that the pilot burner orifice may be otherwise located and arranged to be closed by the difl'erence in coeflicients of expansion of the burner body 26 and the thermostatic element64. v

Therefore I do not desire to limit myself to the precls'e details of construction and arrangementherein set forth, as it is obvious said orifice;-s pring means normally tending to maintain said valve in open position; and tl. ]lOll-lllCi.2l-lllC thermostatic element, direct ly engaging said valve and coordinated with said hollow body as a thermostatic couple, arranged to control said valve, in accordance with the temperature of said hollow body. Y

2. A thermostatic couple, comprising two bodies having different coefficients of expansion; one of said bodies forming a gas burner jet orifice; valve means arranged to control said orifice in accordance with the expansion and contraction of said burner body;'a spring normally tending to .open said valve, when said burnerbody is heated by a flame at said orifice; said couple being coordinately arranged to shut said valve,

against the action of said spring, when said flame is extinguished and said burner body consequently cooled.

3. In a gas burner, the combination with a single hollow metal body, forming a thermostatic element, and having a main gas supply inlet, a plurality of'main gas burner orifices, in communication with said'main inlet, a separate pilot gas supply inlet, a pilot gas burner orifice in communication with said pilot inlet, a valve seat in communication with said pilot inlet and pilot orifice, and an abutment, in spaced relation tosaid seat; of a valve fitted to said seat and arranged tocontrol the passage of gas to said pilot burner'orifice; a spring tending to open said valve, from its seat; a

thermostatic element supported by said abutment and arranged to normally hold said valve closed; and an adjustable abutment plug, movable to relatively calibrate said hollow burner. body, with said other thermostatic element, as a. thermostatic couple, and variably predetermine the temperatur'es at which said valve may be automatically opened and closed.

4. In a gas burner, the combination with a hollow metal body, forming a thermostatic element and having a main gas inlet and jet orifices in communication with said in let, a separate pilot gas supply inlet, a valve casing socket local to said pilot inlet, a pilot gas burner orifice, in communication with said socket, and an abutment in spaced relation to said socket; ofa valve casing fitted to said socket and forming a passageway for gas-from said pilot inlet to said pilot orifice, and a valve seat; a valve titted to said seat; a spring, in said valve casing, tending to lif t said valve otl its seat; and a 5 thermostatic clement su 'iported by said abutment and arranged to normally hold -said valve closed.

5. In a gas burner, the combination with a hollow metal body, forming a thermostatic element and having a main gas inlet and jet orifices in communication with said inlet, a separate pilot gas supply inlet, a valve casing socket local to said pilot inlet, a pilot gas burner orifice, in communication "with said socket, and an abutment in spaced relation .to said socket; of a valve casing litted to said socket and forming a passageway for: gas from said pilot inlet to said pilot orifice, and a valve seat; a valve fitted to said sea-t; a spring, in said valve casing, tending to litt'said' valve oif its seat; a thermostatic element supported by said abutment and arranged to normally hold said valve closed; and a screw plug in said abutment, adjustable to relatively calibrate said thermostatic elements, as a thermostatic couple, and variably 1.)rcdetermine the temperatures at which said valve may be automatically opened and closed.

6. In a thermostatic valve structure, a cup-shaped casing having external cylindrical zones, at opposite ends thereof, and an intermediate internal annular valve seat; said casing having its rim end internally screw threaded, and having a gas inlet and a valve stem hearing at the other end; of a puppet valve fitted to said seat and having an axial stem fitted to said bearing; aspring encircling said stem and tending to thrust said valve off its seat; an externally screw threaded bushing fitted to said rimwthread and having a coaxial cylindrical bearing for a thermostatic element, arranged to hold such element in coordinate relation with said valve.

7. In a thermostatic valve structure, a cup-shaped casing having external cylindrical zones, of different diameters, at opposite ends thereof, and an intermediate internal annular valve seat; said casing having its rim end internally screw threaded, and having a gas inlet and a valve stem hearing at the other end; of a puppet valve fitted to said seat and having an axial stem fitted to said bearing; a spring encircling said stem and tending to thrust said valve off its seat; an axial abutment on said valve, opposite to said stem; an externally screw threaded bushing fitted to said rim thread, and having a coaxial cylindrical bearing for a thermostatic element, arranged to hold such element in coordinate relation with said valve, against said abutment.

8. In a has burner, the combination with a hollow cast metal body having a gas jet orifice and an abutment; .-of a thermostatic element bearing, axially adjustable in said abutment; a thermostatic element mounted in said bearing; and a valve in cooperative relation with said thermostatic element, and 7 arranged to control the flow of astosaid orifice; said bearing being ad ustable to vary the temperature at which said valve-is operative;

9. The combination with a main gas 7 burner and a pilot gas burner, in cooperative relation; of a thermostaticcouple and arranged to control said pilot burnerin accm'dance with the temperature ofs'aid :main gas burner; means arranged to to both burners, including a valve casing having gas outlets, leading to thefrespeck tive burners, and a common gas'inlet; a flexible diaphragm in said valve casing'bej-i tween said gas outlets, and having said gas -i; 5

inlet upon one sidethereofia valve carried by said diaphragm, arran ed to control the passage of gas through the respective casing outlet to said mam burner; and a constantly open bleed port leading, from said gas inlet to the casing outlet leading to said pilot burner; whereby said diaphragm valve is normally held open, by the pressure of gas from said inlet, to permit the supply of gas to said ,main burner, burner is open; but said diaphragmyalve is closed, to shut olf the gas to said main burner, when said pilot burner is closed.

10. In a gas burner, the combination with a hollow metal body, forming a,therino static element, which is a gas conduit leading to a burner jet orifice; .of a valvearranged to control the flosy,. of.;gas through said orifice; spring means norn'iallly tending to maintain said valve in open posi- 100 tion; and another thermostatic element, continually directly thrusting said valve toward its closed position and coordinated with said hollow body as a thermostatic couple, arranged to control said valve in aceordance with the temperature of said hollow body.

11. The combination with a main gas burner and a pilot gas burne fflin cooperalive relation; static element directly exposed to the atmosphere surrounding said main gas burner and coordinated with said main gas humor as a thermostatic couple and arranged to control said pilot burner in accordance with the temperature of said main burner; means arranged to supply gas to both burners, including a valve casing having gas out-lets, leading to the respective burners, and a common gas inlet; a flexible diaphragm in said valve casing between said gas outlets, and having said gas inlet upon one side thereof; a valve carried by said diaphragm,

arranged to control the passage of gas through the respective casing outlet to said supply gas 3 when said pilot 95 of a non-metallimthermo- 110 main burner; port leading and a. constantly open bleed from said gas inlet to the cusing outlet leadin" to said pilot burner;

whereby said dia iliragm valve is normally 5 held open,by

the pressu said main burner, when Patent No. 1,717, 052.

It is hereby certified tent requ above. numb red pa "thermostatic" insert 9, after the word aid main :1: burner no mm with nan corr the'cue in the Signed and (Seal) re of the gas from said inlet, to permit the supply of gas to said pilot burner cannons 0F common.

VICTOR MAUGK.

a thermostatic"; ection therein that Patent Office. sealed thin 2nd day of July, A. D. 1929.

that, error appears in-the iring correction aefoiiowc:

the words "element coordinated with s me June :1, 1929. it

printed specification oi, the

lace. 5, line 77, claim aid Letters Patent ehouid i and that the conform tothe record of.

the same may H. I. m Acting Commissioner of Pctente.

i CERTIFICATE or eoRREeTIoN.

Patent No. 1,717,052. Granted June 11, 1929, to

VICTOR MAUCK.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, line 77, claim 9, after the word "thermostatic" insert the words "element coordinated with said main gas burner as a thermostatic"; and that the said Letters Patent should beread with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 2nd day of July, A. D. 1929.

M. J. Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

